Damien Oliver and Americain are standouts at Cup

PUNTERS always rally around a fairytale story at Melbourne Cup time, and the standout this year is undoubtedly Damien Oliver and Americain.

This year's Cup marks 10 years since Oliver's incredible victory aboard Irish import Media Puzzle, an emotion-charged win that came just days after his brother Jason was killed when he fell from a horse in a barrier trial in Perth.

Oliver was torn between grief and his savage need for competition, eventually producing a winning ride and a tearful salute to the heavens that will be forever remembered as one of the most touching moments in Australian sport, and eventually the subject of a feature film.

Ten years later and Oliver is under the microscope again in the lead-up to the Cup.

This time he is besieged by a betting scandal that threatens not only his integrity but also his career.